NASCAR Makes Rule Changes For 2010 Daytona 500

[KurtBuschFan]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Race fans have been delivering a strong message, and now in response, NASCAR has delivered a new rules package that will heighten the racing excitement for the prestigious 52nd annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

The changes, which were announced on Thursday afternoon, include:
• Permitting bump drafting around the entire 2.5-mile tri-oval shaped track
• A larger restrictor plate that will provide the drivers with more horsepower

“We applaud NASCAR for listening to the race fans,” Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. “The racing at Daytona has been exceptional year in and year out and these changes will give the drivers even more flexibility on the race track to provide the thrilling action that race fans come to expect at the Daytona 500.”

The new rules will be in effect for all of the Hershey’s Milk & Milkshakes Speedweeks 2010 events.

Fans will witness the new rules in action for the first time in the Budweiser Shootout, the 75-lap, non-points event that is part of racing tripleheader on Saturday, Feb. 6 with Daytona 500 Qualifying By Kroger and the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

The new rules will also be in effect for the Gatorade Duel At Daytona, the no-holds barred 150-mile qualifying races which finalize the 43-car field for “The Great American Race.”

Tickets for all of Hershey’s Milk & Milkshakes Speedweeks events, including the Daytona 500, are available on your web-enabled phone at mobile.daytonainternationalspeedway.com, online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).

http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/01/Rule-Changes.aspx

[Chris]

Here's my first prediction of the year...
ONE (or more) of the normal go or go home guys (think Derrick Cope, Morgan Shepherd, Norm Benning, etc)... WILL make the field for this years 500.
Reason.. As usual they'll run far behind the pack because of inferior equipment... with no chance of being in the top finishers who need to finish well to make the field.
With the bump drafting allowed all the way around the track... we WILL see at least one major pileup.  That'll eliminate several full time teams that have decent equipment, and allow underfunded teams to make the big race.
Be even worse if they also do away with the "no passing" below the yellow line rule.
Sounds like to me that, since NASCAR is hemoraging money,... they are going to put drivers lives at risk to get their profits and TV ratings up.

[Tonyfan14]

Bad.. bad... idea.  Can you imagine what the last 30 laps or so of the Plate races are going to be like? We'll be lucky to see 10 cars make it to finish. Don't get me wrong.  I'm all for allowing more contact on the racetrack but not at the plate tracks.

[Chris]

Bad.. bad... idea.  Can you imagine what the last 30 laps or so of the Plate races are going to be like? .

Yeah.. they ALREADY drive like idiots the last 30 laps now... it's gonna get ugly;  REAL ugly.  Hope no one gets killed.

[DougS]

Yeah.. they ALREADY drive like idiots the last 30 laps now... it's gonna get ugly;  REAL ugly.  Hope no one gets killed.

I agree it's going to be an ugly show! Here is when the COT is really going to get put through it's paces especially with the wing still on for Daytona.

[DougS]

Just had a horrible thought, What if we loose someone else? What will be the kneejerk reaction? What if it's another big name Tony Jimmy or god help RCR Kevin Jeff or Clint?

[20forLogano]

Just had a horrible thought, What if we loose someone else? What will be the kneejerk reaction? What if it's another big name Tony Jimmy or god help RCR Kevin Jeff or Clint?

I hope this doesn't happen but it could.  Let's just hope this is the child scenario.  What I mean is you tell your child they ca't go out and do something so they decide they are going to rebel just to piss you off.  The other end of the spectrum is you say you can do something but do it responsibly and they choose not to.  Let's hope the "children" choose to be good

[Tyyrus]

I'am just Praying "The Silly Old Man" keeps it on 4 wheels  , not on his Roof ! 

[20forLogano]

I'am just Praying "The Silly Old Man" keeps it on 4 wheels  , not on his Roof ! 

certainly Mark will keep it clean it's the kids he must worry about

[Busch Babe 899]

Yup, there's one or 2 out there who I don't trust to take it too far.

[Fathead]

I can think of 3 drivers I would trust not to take it too far.   

[Tyyrus]

Yep I hear you Guys...Mark are you paying attention lol !!! I had to laugh when he said recently he was willing to wreck from the fourth corner to the finish only ...Roflmbo...Really !

[SMOKEN14]

I can think of 3 drivers I would trust not to take it too far.   

Jeff Burton Mark Martin and ?

[HUDSON HORNET]

Jeff Burton Mark Martin and ?

Hmmmmmmmmm -------- Juan Pablo?   

[Tonyfan14]

Only other guy that I trust besides Mark and Jeff Burton is Bobby Labonte. Everyone else will probably act like an idiot at some point during the race.